everything to do with you, down to your clothes

[roughandugly]

As much as Alec appreciated solitude, he was certainly not immune to feeling the ache of loneliness. Butternut (or 'Boathouse Cat' as Alec had nicknamed her), when she wasn't swatting at the fish swimming in the lake or chasing after mice and squirrels, could be incredibly affectionate toward him, and Alec had grown rather fond of her in return, but the company of a cat couldn't compare to the company of a fellow man - at least not one who was a friend.

There had been no answer to his knocking at the door to Biffy's apartment, so the next place he went looking was the clothing store where he knew Biffy was employed. Alec had never visited before, having no need or desire to wear such formal attire, but he would have a look around if it meant spending even a short amount of time with his good mate.

Looking at the smartly dressed mannequins at the front of store, Alec couldn't help but compare their outfits to the ill-fitting navy blue suit with the red tie which hung in his wardrobe. Alec hated that suit, but it was the only one he owned. He would much prefer a suit like the olive green one in front of him. Or perhaps the sky blue.

Comments

[modern_alpha]

Biffy was, indeed, at work today and impeccably dressed in dark charcoal pants with a waistcoat of a matching charcoal front and deep red silk back. These he wore over over a pale blue shirt with white collar and an expertly knotted red tie overlaid with gold pattern. With his sleeves folded up crisply to his elbows, he was a free advertisement for the store from the points of his collar to the broguing of his wingtip spectators.

While their clientele did include a few young men and ladies who shopped there precisely because Biffy made such nice window dressing, he was always pleasantly surprised. Especially when friends were about. Coming up to tidy up the window display, he paused and looked through the glass to see Alec and he waved immediately. Talented though he was, Biffy couldn't communicate through glass and tilted his head toward the door before going 'round to meet him.

"I didn't know you meant to drop by," he said, smiling brightly. "Do come in. Is this a social call or can I help you find something to wear?"

[roughandugly]

A face appeared at the window, a face belong to the very person Alec wished to see. He waved in return, his lips involuntarily turning up into a smile.

He met Biffy at the entrance, quickly looking him up and down, appreciating the way his clothing fit around his body. He held out a hand for Biffy to shake, unsure of what other gesture of greeting would be appropriate.

"Just wanted to see you," he admitted unashamedly, "but I'll buy something if it means I can keep you for longer."

[modern_alpha]

Biffy smiled and shook his hand, as it was the proper thing to do, no matter that it felt a little formal for them. His eyes swept up and down Alec's outfit, his expression turning thoughtful. "I am always amazed, personally," he said, eyes sparkling, "with the amount of conversation that one accomplishes while being fitted for a suit."

It was a lengthy process, a careful one, but one that left plenty of time for conversation.

[roughandugly]

Alec may have looked out of place amongst the clothing in the store, but he didn't feel unwanted or uncomfortable being with Biffy.

"I've never been fitted for a suit." As a boy, and even as a young man, almost all of Alec's clothing had been given to him as it became too small to fit his brother. Not that Alec had minded this, but he liked the thought of owning something which had been fit and chosen especially for him, almost as much as he liked the thought of Biffy being one to assist him. "You won't put me in anything too tight, will you?"

[modern_alpha]

It was a casual outfit, to be sure, but Biffy thought Alec wore it well. "I would never put you in anything that didn't fit perfectly," Biffy said with a teasing smile. "What do you take me for?"

Smiling, he ushered Alec to the fitting rooms and disappeared only briefly to acquire a few possibilities for him to try on. "Just to get an idea of what would look best on you," he explained.

[roughandugly]

Of course Alec trusted him. He knew that this was more than simply Biffy's profession - it was a personal passion, as well.

Alec stood still and patient near the fitting rooms while waiting for Biffy to return.

"Which one am I trying on first?"

[modern_alpha]

"Try on this trouser," he said, peeling a dark charcoal pair from the three draped over his arm. "This style matches just about anything. It's a nice multi-purpose option." It was, Biffy thought, particularly favorable to someone who typically preferred to wear casual outfits and save the more formal for rare occasions.

[roughandugly]

Alec stepped into the fitting room, pulled on the trousers, and stepped back out again, having only paused to look at himself in the mirror for a brief second.

"They're more comfortable than I had expected them to be." Alec was happy, but he still needed to hear Biffy's thoughts. He was the expert, after all.

[modern_alpha]

"I chose them for that purpose," he agreed. The fabric was soft but sturdy, one that would hold up a long time. Stepping back, Biffy took in the effect. "This style is called a boot cut, due to the bottom there."

Satisfied with the trouser, he handed Alec a few shirts to try on, ranging from casual to something more businesslike. "The formula I've found to be useful is that a casual gentleman in Darrow will do well with two pairs of blue jeans and two of trousers, in gray and perhaps black."

[roughandugly]

Alec appreciated that Biffy's guidance on clothing had a focus on practicality, not simply appearance, and he found that he rather enjoyed hearing Biffy explain these things to him.

"Did you ever do this sort of work before?" he asked, taking the shirts carefully, "Before ending up in Darrow, I mean." Alec was always curious to learn more about his friend.

[modern_alpha]

"No, I was one of the idle rich," Biffy said with a self-deprecating smile. It had been a fact of his life and his class before, but in Darrow such a lack of productivity seemed to be looked at with disdain. "Before I joined the Woolsey Pack, I was something of a kept boy to a very fashionable gentleman."

He paused and held up a fourth shirt to Alec's side, looking at them in the mirror, before dismissing the choice. There was something about his air that made a shirt that combined white color and pinstriped body to seem a bit dated. Alec would look better in the most modern styles.

"I've found that I enjoy trade very much, however."

[roughandugly]

Being idle and rich wasn't something Alec automatically disliked people for, it was just that such people usually looked down on him first. Biffy was a decent fellow as far as he could tell, despite the sort of life he may have lived before.

"A kept boy? You mean like a mistress?" Alec had never heard of such an arrangement between two men. He wondered how they had gotten away with such a thing in those days. Perhaps it was another way 'Biffy's England' had been different?

"Nobody likes to work, at least not as much as they like the time when they don't work, but it's better to earn your own living, I say."

[modern_alpha]

"Something like. My master was a powerful vampire and all vampires had drones. In exchange for my assistance, I had his patronage." In this context, Biffy's assistance had been blood and Lord Akeldama's patronage had been born of real affection, but this seemed distasteful to discuss while he was helping Alec dress.

Biffy nodded, knowing well that what he did was hardly work in the sense that Alec likely knew. Yes, perhaps, there were trying situations but what Biffy did was not labor. "It gives me a sense of purpose, doing these things."

[roughandugly]

A chill ran down Alec's spine at the mention of vampires. A werewolf he had grown used to. He respected the wolf side of Biffy in the same way he respected all wild and potentially dangerous creatures. But based on the stories Alec had heard, he had trouble imagining vampires as anything other than monsters - something he wished he could go back to confidently not believing in.

Alec took one of the shirts and quickly stepped away to try it on, giving himself a break from the conversation. He emerged, wearing a navy shirt with white buttons, and feeling relaxed once more.

Finding purpose in his work had always been simple for Alec. Letters needed to be posted, leaking roofs needed to be fixed, and somebody needed to do these things. He could see the results of his efforts, and he worked so that he could play. But his current occupation at Darrow Hospital meant somewhat more to him, which he was excited to talk about. "I know what you mean. I was told that keeping the grounds nice at the hospital can help the patients heal better and faster. Something about the pleasant environment meaning there's less stress in the body. There's more purpose in that than in my old job, working for some stuck-up rich folk so that they can show off their fancy estate."

[modern_alpha]

Biffy chuckled, "Careful now. I was stuck-up rich folk. That shirt looks very nice on you, though. Easy enough to dress up, if you're so inclined, or to wear as is." Truthfully, he thought Alec might even benefit from wearing it untucked as many modern men did but it was not advice he could yet bring himself to say aloud.

"I like to think that I make people feel good as well, in helping them look their best." It wasn't the same, he could admit, as feeding the hungry and sheltering the bereft but Biffy thought it was important in its own quiet way. "I can only express my regrets, though, that men's fashion seems to have narrowed down to only the most basic categories."

[roughandugly]

Alec also let out a soft laugh, but he wasn't about to apologise for what he had said. "You're alright. Just don't go getting any ideas about bossing me around or the like."

Biffy's efforts were mostly wasted on Alec, but he did like the way the high quality fabrics were smooth and cool against his skin, and the navy of the shirt reminded him of the evening sky.

"Women often wear trousers 'round here. Perhaps you can start selling gowns to the men." He said it with a smile, but he was partially serious. Ever since he was a boy, Alec hadn't understood why everything needed to be different for men and women.

[modern_alpha]

"Perhaps, though I'm not well versed on what's suitable for men. And there are no fashion plates in this city to lay out what works every season," Biffy said, sighing melodramatically. There were ways in which the lack of fashion plates and their dictations delighted him bu tat times it also left him a bit without footing.

"I did know a few men who wore stays and corsets, admittedly. To make themselves handsomer than they really were." Biffy laughed and shook his head at that before handing Alec another shirt. "Try this one too."

[roughandugly]

"You'd never catch me wearing one of those ridiculous corsets. I don't know why anybody bothers."

Alec took the next shirt with a sigh. He was growing tired of taking off and putting on garment after garment, but he was still enjoying Biffy's company.

[modern_alpha]

It was the same kind of put upon sigh that he'd heard from Lady Maccon now and then, signaling a growing impatience with the routine of dressing. Biffy was not prone to such a feeling given how thoroughly he enjoyed preening about in many outfits infront of the mirror.

"To look handsome. Whyever else would anybody do such things?"

[roughandugly]

"What about when the clothes come off? There isn't any hiding what you really look like then." He said this matter-of-factly, just as he removed the shirt he was wearing. The back wall of the fitting room was a mirror and Alec paused to look at himself shirtless. Mirrors weren't something he spent a whole lot of time in front of. He thought his body looked fine - good, even. Nothing really to boast about, but he was okay with that. He was more concerned with what his body could do.

He said sincerely, "Sorry, I guess I still don't much get the point of all these fancy clothes." Alec made his way back over to where Biffy was waiting to see how this new shirt looked on him. "Like I said, I'm really only here to spend time with you."

[modern_alpha]

"A great deal of disappointment, I imagine. I can't imagine that any man vain enough to shape himself with a corset could also be much of a wit." Certainly, Lord Akeldama had enjoyed waist modification from time to time but the effect had been one of shameless costuming, not deception.

"I enjoy spending time with you as well. And I'm pleased that you've been so frightfully patient while I go about it," Biffy promised.

[roughandugly]

"You're not wearing one under that, are you?" Alec teased, reaching his arm out to playfully poke Biffy's abdomen. He threw his head back and let out a short laugh, a mite too loud for the setting.

The process of buttoning and unbuttoning shirt after shirt was tedious, but it wasn't unbearable. "How's this one? Sleeves seem a bit long, don't you think?"

[modern_alpha]

Biffy smiled innocently and pulled up the hem of his shirt to show only the smooth expanse of his skin from navel to the band of his trousers. Not a corset in sight. "I would never so loudly criticize something that might very well be on my own person." At least not a waistcoat.

Poison, perhaps, but that was another matter altogether.

"It's an easy fix, at least. We've got a tailor in-house to properly adjust any clothes."

[roughandugly]

"How long does that take?" Alec asked sulkily. He was appreciative of Biffy's help, and he was glad to own some new clothes, but the process of trying garments on had already taken more time than he had expected. "I've got a cat to feed."

[modern_alpha]

"A day or two. You usually would be required to pick them up, but I'll do you the favor of bringing them to your boathouse, if you like?" Biffy offered it with genuine enthusiasm, even as he spoke in a careful tone that was designed to temper impatience.

"A cat? Really?"